Tubular feeding device



awww W June 14, 1960 B. B. wiNTER 2,940,639

TUBULAR FEEDING DEVICE June 14, 1960 B. B. WINTER 2,940,639

TUBULAR FEEDING DEVICE Filed NOV. 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BILLY BERT WINTER BY ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 B, B. WINTER 2,940,639

TUBULAR FEEDING DEVICE Filed Nov. 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. BILLY BERT WINTER ATTORNEY United States Patent() TUBULAR FEEDING DEVICE Billy B. Winter, Towanda, lll.

Filed Nov. 19, 1956, Ser. No. 623,113

1S Claims. (Cl. 222-60) This invention relates to a device for automatically feeding livestock, such as hogs, sheep, rabbits, poultry, or the like. More specifically, it relates to a device which is used to supply feeds preferably of the nonfibrous type to said livestock at predetermined times and in predetermined quantities. ln contrast to this device, my copending application Serial No. 622,891, entitled Stock Feeding Device, and filed November 19, 1956, is designed to handle fibrous and uy feeds.

The tendency in this country toward larger farms with a larger number of livestock on each farm, coupled with the diminished amount of farm labor, has led to a serious feeding problem in recent years. The older methods of carrying feed by hand in small containers are no longer satisfactory, nor consistent with the modern mechanization which we now accept as normal on our farms. In addition, it is an agricultural fact that certain types of stock, especially cattle, become disturbed by the presence of people during feeding time and that they will eat much betten-hence, gain more weight-if undisturbed. It is a further accepted fact that regular feedings two, three or four times daily will also tend to improve the eating capacity of the stock with resulting increase in the rate of gain of weight. A measured ration, fed several times a day, keeps the animals within a close percentage of their full feeding capacities and allows a more eicient gain in weight per unit of ration. Such a feeding procedure also makes for a better carcass dressing percentage toward leaner cuts.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a livestock feeding apparatus which, when operated, delivers feed at various points along the length of the feeder simultaneously so that the feed is then available to every animal and the stock do not congregate at a limited number of feeding positions.

Another object is to provide an apparatus with which the daily ration of feed given to each animal may be increased or decreased by (l) increasing or decreasing the frequency of feeding, or (2) by changing the quantity of feed delivered each feeding.

More specifically, it is `an object to provideV a feed handling and distributing means particularly suited for operation automatically by timer controlled means.

Another more specic object is to provide a-feeder having a feeding container which may be automatically filled and discharged so `as to carry out fully automated feeding procedures.

A further object of the invention is to meter feed to said feeding container at predetermined times and in predetermined cycles.

An additional object is to provide for automatically stopping the ow of feed when the container is at desired capacity.

These and other objects are described in the following specification, claims, and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the feeding device of my invention.

Mice

Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of the feeding device, 'partly in section, illustrating certain features of the mechanism. y Y

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the mechanism taken along the lines 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a wiring circuit of the device covered the invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the mechanism, similar to Figure 3, illustrating the maximum feed emptying position.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the orifice plate shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an orifice plate s' lar to the one in Figure 7 but of different size.

Referring to the drawings, for purposes of illustration the invention is shown embodied in a feeding apparatus which includes, in general, a rotatable tube (mounted over a feed bunker) to which feed is metered from a supply hopper at one end. An auger, withinrthe tube, carries Vthe feed from the hopper along the tube. K' According to this invention, by rotating the tube, the feed therein is discharged simultaneously at all points along its length and into the feed bunker so that the stock can feed anywhere along the -feed bunker. kAs will lappear in more detail hereinafter, the feeding apparatus may be timer operated and a metering device or means may be used to meter the amount of feed admitted to the tube each feeding cycle. Thus the size of the ration may be increasedor decreased by the amount of fill and the number of times the feeding zone is filled or placed in cycle per feeding. Operated in this manner, the feeding device described herein is particularly adapted to the feeding of concentrated non-fibrous feeds to animals.V

Turning in more specific detail tok the `apparatus shown in the drawings, as best shown in Figure 1, the feeding device consists primarily of a feed carrying tube 11 Iwhich .may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. The tube is circular in cross section' except for the top portion which forms an opening 12 comprising approximately one-third to oneeighth 'of the circumference. The length `and cross section ofvthe tube may be varied depending on the amount of feed that it is desired to handle. Naturally, the capacity of the. tube depends on varying these dimensions, and other critical factors, such as the length of the said bunker, are also important to the determination of these dimensions. YAt intervals along the length of the tube are fastened a plurality of driven gears l13 which have central apertures 14 large enough to, permit tube 11 to be passed there'- through. The gear also includes conventional gear teeth 15 of any desired design, pitch, and number in accordance with the usual mechanical requisites of force'an'd speed. Each gear is permanentlynfastened to the tube by means of welding, riveting, staking, 'brazing, or other methods known in the art. The upper portion of the tube 12, which is open, is enclosed by means of a cap 16 which is arcuate in cross section and conforms with the curvature of the tube. The cap extends between each .adjacent pair of gears and is supported by structure to be described below.

It is usually desired to mount `the feeding mechanism by overhead structure in order that the feed may be discharged into thefeed bunker on the oor of the shed or barn. Furthermore, in keeping with the invention, the feed is discharged simultaneously along the length of the feeder, so that the stock, instead of congregating at a limited number of feeding positions, may feed at any point along the feed bunker. f

For mounting the feeding mechanism, an overhead structural Vmember 17 ymay be provided'Yrunning parallel to the desired4 direction of the feeding tube. This member 17, for example, may Ybe an Vordinary woodenor.

nietalnstructuralmember such as an'fI-beamY or heavy woodenv beamattached to the rafters Yor beams of v 'Y barn or shed, The tube may also be supported'on and bythe feed bunksor other low supportsfl Yplurality,

of primary 'structural supporting members comprising the brackets 18V are attached to the member 17: These brackets include an upper flanged end 19 which is parallel to and in' contact with the lower surface f the overy head member 17, and is fastened thereto by means of conventional fastening means Ysuch as a plurality of Vbolts 20 YLand nuts 20a. AExtending downwardly from the flanged end-19 is the main bracket web 21 which is verticaland terminates'in anercuate lower flange '22 that is concentric with and contiguous with the upper bracket by conventional means such as rivets 23 passing thrugh theY cap .and the flange 22. These rivets are preferably of countersunkf type in which the heads are formed onthe inside of the'cap inorder to provide a smooth inner capYsuiface Without protuberances. 'Ifhe brackets 18S-also serve to support the gears 13. This VY support isV provided by YmeansY of, roller Vbearings 24 which are attached to each bracket by means of Va central Y stuhshaft 25 having a anged end 425u which is adjacent toV web 210i the bracket, The ilange is attached to the Y f bracket 'by conventional fastening means, such as screws 26 Vand nuts 26a shownvinV Figure 2. Each gear 13 is V undercut in the annular portion between the Vteeth and the Vcentral opening, thus forming a bearing surface 27 Vinto which` the bearing 24 is placed. lThe bearing thus ysupports the gear (hencepthe tube 1K1 Welded thereto) in such afmanner that the gear and tube may be rotated for reasons to be later described.

In addition to the functions previously described, the

Ybrackets 18 also provide a support for a driveY shaft 2S. This is, accomplished Vby means of bearings 29 also mounted in the web 21 of the bracketin Vwhich the shaft Z8 is rotatably mounted. A plurality of driving gears 30 fare permanently fastened to theV dri-ve shaft 2S andAV include gear teeth '.31v which are equivalent inV pitch Vand depth Yto'the gear teeth 15 fof the driven gears 14. TheseY gearsare so located on the drive shaft that they aretenmeshed Vwith the driven vgears forreasons tobe presently described. y Y `Y Y liasrjbeen removed to provide an opening into ldiel upper end,Y ofthe YtubeV Y As` canbest be seen in,YFigure l," a

Y (AbleY material, .curved to fitthe shape of the cap, vand having'it's vcenter Ycutout to form an aperture57 ofde- Y V'sii-,ed siz'e. Y VAt the'cornersare providedhles SSthrough wlicl'theV screws 56 may pass.k The'sze of Ythe' aperture l j5 7, therefore, Vwill govern the amount of feed (that is Y ,permitted tof pass into lthe tube.` Theoriice plate SSis :shwn'in more detail inFigureYfl.

Y; .When itY is Vdesired to allowfa diiferent quantityirof Y`feed vtolse metered into the tube, a different orifice plate,

such as the one designatedby Vnumeral 5,9 in Figure t3,

' 'may Vbe Vsubstituted by simply removing Ythe screws 56,

plate and supported byrsome `convenient portion ofthe overhead structure. This hopper Vis of conventional design and one that will havev a sufficient capacity for one or more feedings. A ldriving motor 28a is coupled'to the drive shaft 28 through a speed reductionV device 28b, such as a 'gearbox of the -type well known in the art. The device is designed to provide a sufficiently low driving `speed for proper operation. The motor and device are mounted on some convenient portion of the structure, for exampleY the overhead memberl 27.V In order to drive the feed into the container or tube 11 an4 auger shaft 33 is passed Vcompletely through the center of the tube, and mounted on the shaft is an/auger 34 of consurfacecf thecap 16 The. cap isY supported from the f ventional design. As is well known in the art,'thisV auger comprises a continuous helical surface 35 providing a succession of ridges and valleys. ,The auger Yshaft is mounted at each end of the Vtube by'means of bearings 36 which are mounted in end platesl 37{which close off the ends of the tube 11. An auger driving motor 38 is mounted at the end Yof the tube prfrom some convenient structure, andV is coupled; to the auger drive'shaftby a speed reduction device 38a to operate at. fairly slow speeds.. The reduction device is similar tok device 28b previously described, and is mounted to the same structure. Y v- Operation A is best VshvowninV Figure 5, the mechanism just described is controlled; and actuated Yby conventional 7 electrical components'. YThe basic controlling device is a timer 39 of conventional design which may be'preset at the times at which it is desired to feed thestock. It may be set, for example, at 6:00 A.M., V10:00 A M., 2:00 P.M., and 6:00 PLM., or at any other hours and frequenciesffound desirable according Yto thetype and age of stock, the season of the year,'or other factors, When the preselected time is reached, the timer will cause the switch 40 to close Vand allow current to` pass from the source'of powerV 41 through the energizing coilk 42 of the auger motor relay 43, and back to the source 41 completing lthe circuit andY closing the contacts 44 and 45 of the relay. This completes theV circuit to the auger Y motor 38 which rotates the shaft 33 thus Vrotating the one end ofptheYtubef'll, a portion of the capf16 Y auger 34. The feed which'has been previously/*placed Vin the hopper 32 4passes through thev metering deviceV 55 land then will Vbepicked up bythe auger andV carriedV Yinto the tubeVV 11. Since the tubeY opening 12V is closed olf by the cap 16 andthe end pieces 37, theV tube will be lledto predetermined capacity with feed Vafter a brief period of operation. `At'the same time, the energizing of coil 42vvillV also close the holdingl contacts 46 and 47 to allow theV current-toy ow through a normally closed shutoff Vsvvitch'48, thus permitting the relay V43 4to ref mainclosed after theYinitial pulse of current. Y Y

' When the tube 11 is iilledYwith feed; iny accordance with this invention, theY feed is automaticallydischarged Y Vinto the feed bunker Vbelow thetub'e. V Y VAsfdi'sclcsel herein, a pressure switch 49 mounted at the vend 37 ofthe Vtubefis responsive to jpressure'of the lifting. olf orifice plateV 55, and installing orice plate 59. f

,Y aperture 60 Vof this latter plate isof a different size than aperture 577, 'and thus meters a different quantity'of Y these orifice plates. Y Y Invorder to pass feed through the orifice. plate and into the tube, a hopper 32 is mounted directly over the of feed ismetered intogthe tube.Y

feed sov as vto zbe;actuate'dV when'a predetermined quantity Y Closing the switch allows current to fpass throughYthe switch 49-and the coils,50 of'the driving gear rno'trV relay 51 Vthu'sgenergizingthis relay. This VV,causes the contacts52 and 53'to close and permit energizatioupof the driving gear motor 28a. VAt the same time, Yholding contacts n are 'closed to permit operation of the relay to continue `after theV initial pulse. -lhe motor is thereby Vactuated and rotates the shaft 28. Vand the gears 30 whichrin turn rotate the gears 13.

.Mcharge along its length.V The gear 13 VinY rotating also 751; 'ing in the tube as it Ends to reach its lowermost'pos- Thetrotation isY fairly sl'ow in Vorder to permit the, 'feedVV contained withinrthe tube to be completelyV removed and, therefore, simultaneously Y dumped from the tubular member 11 at all Ypointslof drstion 'as illustrated in Figure 6. inasmuch as the speed is slow and the opening is fairly large, there is ample time for all of the feed to be deposited from the tube and into the feed bunkers below (not shown). The rotation of the driving motor 28a, shaft 28, driving gear 30, driven gear 13, and tube 11 -will continue for a full 360 degree revolution in order to return the tube to its original position. At this point a linger 54 mounted on one of the gears 13 will strike a shutoff switch 48 thus breaking the circuits leading to the relay 51 and the relay 43 and shutting off both motors. This stops the rotation of the auger and the driving shaft, at rwhich time the mechanism is in position for refilling during the next cycle, The switch 48 has been opened by the action of the nger 54 as previously described, but immediately thereafter the action of a spring Within the switch forces the contacts shut again in order to make the circuit operative again at the next cycle. As many complete cycles as desired may be provided for in advance.

Thus it may be seen that by means of this invention a novel and simple mechanism is 'provided whereby feed is made available for livestock at predetermined times and in predetermined quantities. The invention consists essentially of a hollow tube carrying an auger which drives the feed into the tube and a mechanism for rotating the tube to discharge the feed into a container.

Further modifications and variations of this invention :are contemplated .without departure from the spirit of the invention. For example, the feed tubes may be grouped in tandem or end to end arrangement if it is desired to service a plurality of feed bunks by coupling shafts together to permit such a system. A single tube may feed a plurality of bunkers, or each bunker may have its own feeding device.

Variations in the electrical and mechanical devices illustrated are especially contemplated and the details shown are in no way intended to limit invention. For example, it is also possible to achieve the desired results by reversing the mechanical relationship illustrated. In other words7 the main stationary part of the tube may be the upper instead of the lower portion, and the rotating part may be the lower portion. By means of such a structure the lower portion may be rotated to uncover the open part of the main tube, which is on the lower surface, to allow the feed to ybe removed.

l claim:

l. In an automatic livestock feeding device including a rotatable cylindrical feed container, a shutoff switch in said container capable of actuation by filling of said container, and a pre-set timing mechanism; a conveying mechanism comprising a motor-driven auger located partially within said container; said motor actuated by said timing mechanism to convey feed into said container, said shutoff switch initiating rotation of said container to cause removal of said feed therefrom and subsequently stopping rotation of said container and said auger.

2. An automatic device for feeding livestock comprising a tubular feed container having an opening at its upper surface, a cover for normally sealing said opening, conveying means partially located within said container and independently actuated to convey feed into said container, a pressure switch located in said container actuated by said feed when said container is full, and a device actuated by said pressure switch to cause a change in the relative circumferential positions of the cover and opening, said device subsequently restoring the original relationships of the cover and opening.

3. An automatic device for feeding livestock comprising a tubular feed container having `an opening at its upper surface, a cover for normally sealing saidopening, conveying means partially located within said container and independently actuated to convey feed into said container, a pressure switch located in said container actuated by said feed when said container is full, a device actuated by said pressure switch to cause a V6 change in the relative circumferential positions of the cover and opening, said device subsequently restoring the original relationships of the cover and opening, and a shutoff switch actuated :by said device to stop said device and conveying means.

4. An automatic device for feeding livestock comprising a rotatable container for said feed, a hopper mounted thereon, an independently actuated conveying mechanism partially contained within and conveying feed to said container, a pressure switch located in said container and actuated by said feed when said container is iilled, a cover on the upper surface of said container maintaining a normally sealed relationship therewith, mechanism actuated by said pressure switch for rotating said container to permit discharge of feed therefrom, said mechanism continuing the rotation of said container to its original position, a shutoff switch located adjacent said container and actuated by said rotating mechanism to stop the conveying and rotating mechanisms.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said rotating mechanism includ at least one driving gear and at least one mating driven gear, said driven gear integral `with said container.

6. An automatic device for feeding livestock comprising a rotatable cylindrical container having an opening at the top, an arcuate member normally sealing off said opening, a hopper mounted at one end of said container including an orifice plate for regulating the rate of flow of feed hom said hopper to said end, a conveying mechanism comprising an independently actuated power-driven auger located partially within said container, to convey feed from said one end of the container toward the other end thereof, a plurality of driven gears integral with said container and a plurality of driving gears mounted on a power shaft and mating with said driven gears, a pressure switch located in said container and actuated by said feed when the container is iilled to cause rotation of said driving gears and a corresponding rotation of said driven gears to rotate said container and permit discharge of said feed contained therein, a shutoff switch located adjacent one of said gears, said one gear contacting said shutoff switch at the completion of 360 degrees of its rotation to actuate said switch thus stopping the rotation of said gears and container and simultaneously stopping said conveying mechanism.

7. Apparatus for transporting and distributing particulate material which comprises an elongated substantially horizontal, axially rotatable trough member having an opening at the top, a receptacle positioned beneath said trough member in longtudinal alignment therewith and with said opening, conveyor means extending longitudinally within said trough member for introducing particulate material longitudinally of said trough member while its opening is in its upper position, means for supplying material to said conveyor means, means for rotating said trough member about its longitudinal axis to bring said opening into discharge position with respect to said receptacle after said particulate material has been introduced therein, said means thereafter returning said trough member to its filling position with its opening in an upper position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein a closure means is provided over said opening to prevent escape of particulate material during its introduction into said tubular member.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the opening in said tubular member is an elongated slot which is positioned above at least one receptacle in alignment therewith.

l0. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the conveying means comprising an elongated auger extending axially within said tubular member.

ll. An automatic livestock feeding device which comprises an elongated horizontally positioned axially rotatable tubular feed member, a longitudinally extending in lg introduction of a predetermined Vquantity of feed VVtherein, power'driven means for rotating said tubular member around itslongitudinal axis, Vand means for caus-V 'ing actuation of said rotating means to cause Vrotation ofY saidrtubular member about its longitudinal axis responsive to the introduction of said'predetermined quantity vojfjfeed therein-thereby causing the opening in said tubular member to be rotated to a lower discharge position, said wmeans thereafter continuing said rotation and returning said tubular member toits lling position.

12;'111 an automatic Vlivestock feeding device, a feed 'container comprising an elongated substantiallyhozon- 7tally.,extending trough member having an opening at the top,A extending longitudinally thereof, conveyor ymeans positioned Within said trough memberV for introducing feed therein for a desired poru'on of its length, means for supplyingfeed to said conveyor, means for-rotating said trough member about Yits longitudinal axis, means responsive to the feed reaching the desired point therein to actuate Asaid rotating means thereby positioningV said lopening in a lower feed discharging position, and means for thereafter continuingrsaid rotation to position said ,trough member with said opening at the toprforfurther -at the top, conveyor means for introducing feed longitudinally of the trough, means for supplying feed to vsaid Qconveyor, means for rotating said trough around its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said rotating means when the trough is lled to a predetermined extent thereby positioning said opening in a lower discharging position, said means also discontinuing the introduction of feed therein, means for returningV said trough to its normal filling position With the opening at thetc-p, and means to resume introduction of feed therein preparatory to another discharging cycle.

. 1,5. An automatic livestock feeding device including aV Y substantially horizontally extending elongated axially ro- Qtatable'trough with an opening at the top, motor driven `means connected to said'trough to axially rotate the latter, Ycircuit control'means responsive to introduction of 'feed into said trough to a predetermined extent, a pre-set timing mechanism, a conveying means comprising a Ymotor driven auger extending Within and longitudinally of said trough, said motor being actuated by said timing mechanism to operate said conveyingmeans to convey `feed into said trough, and means for supplying feed to said conveying means, said circuit control `means actuating j rotation ofY said trough to cause discharge of feed there-Y from by rotation of -its Yopening toa lowerfposition and Vsubsequently Vstopping rotationy of said trough Whensaid opening is at the top.

V16. A livestock feeder comprising an elongated substantiallyrhorizontally extending axially rotatable tubular feed container, an elongatediopening extending .longitudinally of Vsaid container,Y an elongated rotatable auger extending longitudinally within said container, power` 'means-to rotate said auger, means for supplying feed V.to y:said auger while-it is rotating and thereby conveying said Y feed Ylongitudinally into saidfcontainer While said container is positioned with said openingabove itshorizontal during Athe :introductioniofsaid,'feed, Vmeans ,for rotating said tubular'c'o'ntainer about 'its longitudinal said means .being responsive to la' predetermined quantity of lfeed introducedlongitudinally thereofto movesaid open- Ving to a discharge position A'below VthehorirontalV axis rof Asaid container to vthereby cause discharge of said feed, means continuing the rotation of said container after discharge of said :feed to its filling position. v 17. Apparatus for transporting and distributing particulate material which comprises Van elongated substan- V`tially' horizontal, axially .rotatable .tubular member having'an opening at the top, a'receptacle positioned ,be- '-neath said vvtubular memberin Vlongitudinal Valignment 'therewith and with `said opening, Vconveyor means including an auger extending longitudinally within said tubular'member for introducing particulate material longitudinally of said tubular member While its opening is in Aits upper position, means for metering a Vpredetermined quantity of material into said tubular member vWhile said opening is in said upper position and said auger is operating to convey the material along said tubular member, means for rotating said tubular member about its longitudinal axis to move said opening into a lower discharge position over said receptacle when said predetermined quantity of Ymaterial lhas been received Iin said tubular -member and introduced along the latter by vsaid auger, Saidgmeans-thereafter returning said tubular member to its iilling position wit-h said-.opening in an upper position. Y

18. Inan automatic livestock feeding device, the combination comprising, an elongated substantially vhorizontal axially rotatable tubular member having an opening in Vthe wall thereof, said tubular member being posi- Vtioued for ,lling with said opening at the top, a receptaf Vdinal alignment therewith and with said opening to re- Vceive feed discharged v'from said tubularrmember through s aid VYopening When thelatter is moved to a lower discharge position, conveyor means including a powerdriven auger extending longitudinally Within said tubular ,member for introducing particulate material longitudinally of said tubular member while its opening is in its Vupper position, means `for metering a predetermined quantity `of feed into said tubular member while said opening is in said uppper position and said auger is op- .erating lto convey the 4feed along said tubular member,

and vmeans .for rotating said tubular member about its longitudinal axis to move said opening into discharge position over said receptacle when said predetermined quantity of material fhas been received in said tubular member and introduced along the latter by said auger Vso that the feed carried along Vthe tubular member -by said auger is simultaneously ydumped from the tubular member yat all points of discharge along said tubular member, said last-named means thereafter returning said ,tubularV member toits filling position with its opening in an upper position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTTTD! STATES PATENT oTFICE CE TTFICATE F CURRECTION Patent No., 9409639 June 14V 1960 Billy Ba Winter It is herebjr certified that error appears in Jheprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and 'that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 8I line 64V list, of References CitedV under UNILTED STATES PIIT'IIEBDI'LS7 for "lVO27v453" read lvO27v432 Signed and sealed this 13th day of December 1960 {SEAL} Attest:

KARL Ha AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Aitesting @meer Commissioner of Patents 

